Stable volunteer caught on CCTV sexually abusing horses

A man with "an unhealthy interest" in horses was caught sexually abusing the animals. CCTV footage from Ynyscrug Livery Yard in Tonyrefail, Rhondda Cynon Taf caught Corey Coleman, 26, engaging in a series of disturbing acts.

Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court heard that Coleman, of Llanharan, regularly volunteered in helping look after horses at the stables, where he was well-known to staff. He was only found to be sexually abusing the animals after a stallion injured him while trying to mount him on June 27 2024 in what court heard was "an element of instant karma". The 26-year-old was found lying in a passageway between the stables with a serious injury to his back, according to WalesOnline.

The 26-year-old was hospitalised with spinal fractures and fitted with a back brace. Despite his "serious injuries" Geraint Richards, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA said it was not long before Coleman was "back at the stables".

When the stables owner Alex Hill enquired about how the injury was sustained, Coleman claimed one of the stallions had tried to mount him.

Prosecutor Geraint Richards said: "As a result, Mr Hill decided to view the CCTV. What he saw concerned him enough to look deeper into it."

CCTV footage from July 15 that showed Coleman "teasing and arousing" a horse.

Footage from June 27 - the date he was injured - and July 27 also showed the volunteer abusing horses.

On July 31 last year, police, the RSPCA and a vet attended the yard at Tonyrefail and identified the three horses seen on the CCTV. They were examined by a vet and luckily were found to have no physical injuries from the abuse.

"He was using a mare who appeared to be in season, moving her close to the stable, to tease and arouse a stallion," said Mr Richards.

Mr Richards added that the stables were "quite busy" and there were often "children in the vicinity" outside and it was likely the abuse had gone on "for many months".

Coleman pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a bay stallion named Bear and a palomino stallion named Benny by sexually abusing them; failing to ensure the welfare of the same stallions; and failing to ensure the welfare of a bay mare named Nala who was exposed to the risk of injury from the stallions.

Coleman's solicitor Daniel Maggs acknowledged this was "a very unusual case to say the least" but asked the magistrates to take into account his client's previously clean record.

He added his client had already suffered an "element of instant karma" following his injuries and accepted he had "an unhealthy interest" in horses.

Coleman was previously involved in an equine events organisation, but had "destroyed any future career of that nature" and was now having counselling.

The court heard the abused animals - stallions Benny and Bear and a mare called Nala - were "fit and healthy upon examination".

RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector - and Investigating officer in this case, Gemma Cooper said: "Following an examination by a vet thankfully the horses were found to be okay despite having to endure this abuse and suffering.

Coleman was also disqualified from owning, keeping or transporting horses, or participating in their keeping, for five years and ordered to pay costs of £474.